voicing learning curve

[Lance Lafargue]

One thought is to learn one hammer brand, allowing you some consistency. 
Part of the problem is that one thing done to one hammer won't yield the 
same results on another brand of hammer.  So, if you can that is, learn how 
to voice say, Renner Blues by using Renner lit available, listening to cause 
and effect, then maybe Abel, then Yamaha, etc.  I didn't believe you could 
rough ballpark voice a set of new hammers without first listening to them, 
but you can.  Then finish within 45 minutes.  Practice room pianos at a 
University is also another great way, just go slow and stay away from the 
strike point deeper than 1/16" for a while.

Sitting with an experienced voicer and talking and listening to different 
sounds and causes will help.  Talking attack vs sustain, vs color, etc and 
sticking needles around to discuss it.  Some of this will just take time and 
that's all there is to it, like learning tuning.  Of course, go slow at 
first and don't ruin anything.   Good luck.

Lance Lafargue, RPT
LAFARGUE PIANOS, LTD
LPIANOS.com
4244 Hwy 22 Mandeville, LA 70471
985.72P.IANO
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "ed miller" <edmiller3 at hotmail.com>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 3:10 PM
Subject: [SPAM] voicing learning curve


> Hello,
>
> I'm looking for some voicing advice (mentoring). I'm two years into 
> learning the piano trade and have learned a great deal already in the 
> realm of tuning, regulating and repairing (though I know there's MUCH more 
> to learn). I've found that most skills are pretty straight foward, they 
> just take a little doing to get the hang of.
>
> Voicing, on the other hand, seems to me to be the most nuanced skill of 
> them all. I'm a bit intimidated by it. There are so many techniques that I 
> have read about. I'm sure most of them have merit, but none of them mean 
> anything if the technician has not developed a fine ear for tonal quality 
> and characterstics, and the subtle changes that can be achieved by 
> manipulating the hammers.
>
> I'm intereted in hearing any thoughts on how one develops this skill. I'm 
> less interested in specific techniques. I'm more looking for insight into 
> the process of learning to be a quality voicing technician. Possibly some 
> some stories from your own voicing learning process.
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Ed
>
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